Palworld Servers Cost Over $475 Million to Run for February 2024. Just Don't Call it a Pokémon Game

PC Gamer reported that Palworld server costs were almost $500K in February 2024 as the massively popular game merges elements that are similar to Fortnite, Monster Hunter, and Pokémon and has sold around 12 million copies on Steam.

Palworld video game

Palworld is Wildly Popular and Expensive to Maintain Servers

PC Gamer reported that Palworld has 19 million players, and sold about 12 million copies of the game on Steam at $30 each. According to the math, they have brought in at least $360 million in revenue so far.

PC Gamer also reported that Network engineer Chujo Hiroto was instructed to "never let the server go down" on the game.

He said:

"Following the order to never let the service go down no matter what, we have prepared servers without regard to cost. We will continue to give our all to ensure that all players can enjoy to the fullest! $478,000..." -Chujo Hiroto

He should have followed that up with an "Aye, aye, captain."

PC Gamer pointed out that Palworld will not be selling 12 million games a month, so the money coming in may not be able to continually sustain the high costs of maintaining the Palworld servers. There are also currently no microtransactions in Palworld. That may change down the road when examining how the game will bring in more money to offset the costs.

That may be a problem for another day. For now, let's just enjoy the game while we have it. To host more than four players in one world, it requires a Palworld dedicated server that could host up to 32 players in one single world.

(Source: PC Gamer)

Japanese Entertainment Agencies: Don't Compare Palworld to Pokémon

Dexerto reported that Japanese entertainment agencies are "advising their clients not to mention Pokémon on social media when speaking about the Palworld video game." (Source: Tokyo Sports)

Dexerto also noted that Palworld has "broken the third-party launch record on Xbox game pass." 

Not too shabby.

They report that the game is now at 20 million players a day.

Meanwhile, Pokémon might be getting a little jealous. They said on January 25, 2024 that they are "investigating any unauthorized usage of their Intellectual Property in Palworld."

See the Palworld trailer below.